Nepal, Feb. 10 -- Helicopter medevac scams in Nepal taint life-saving mountain tourism service The arrest on 25 January of six people on charges of insurance fraud has brought the scandal of fake helicopter rescue of trekkers in Nepal to the fore once more, denting the image of the tourism industry.

Trekking companies, helicopter operators and hospitals were said to be in cahoots to carry out medical evacuations that were not necessary. In some cases, even the rescues were said to be fake with false names of 'patients' and their ailments.

The six who were arrested were charged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) with cheating insurance companiesof millions of dollars in the past four years with more than 300 fake chopper medeva...